going terribly well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "going terribly well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that is progressing in a very positive or successful manner, often with a hint of irony or sarcasm. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, the project is going terribly well, exceeding all our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Our mission isn't going terribly well.

The New York Times

It is a gloriously warm October Saturday evening in Milan and things aren't going terribly well.

The Guardian - Travel

So things aren't going terribly well for our trio of detectives, but providing an escape route from their professional purgatories is Katherine Davis, the state attorney.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"It was not going terribly well". The two men held a series of brainstorming sessions in the Situation Room in late 1995 and early 1996 with nearly two dozen outside experts, including Kissinger and Alexander Haig.

The Washington Post

It hadn't been going terribly well ever since ICE's director general, Nick Baveystock, had referred to this being the fifth iteration of the NIP, as he ergonomically referred to the government's plan in his introduction.

The Guardian

Considering that China and Russia had just negotiated a treaty, things were not going terribly well.In Beijing the blame for all of this was falling heavily on the head of one plump, bewhiskered gentleman, Wanyan Chonghou.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

His efforts did not go terribly well.

The New York Times

But it didn't go terribly well.

The Guardian - Opinion

So far it has not gone terribly well.

The Guardian - Sport

Republicans could use a buzzkill after a convention period that does not appear to have gone terribly well for them.

The New York Times

His first year did not go terribly well, though Conard eventually identified an ideal takeover target, a company that made pharmaceutical-test instruments.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "going terribly well" to ironically describe situations that are unexpectedly successful, often after initial difficulties. It's most effective when the contrast between expectation and reality is notable.

Common error

Avoid using "going terribly well" in contexts where genuine negativity is intended. The phrase carries an inherent sense of irony, suggesting positive outcomes despite initial indications to the contrary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "going terribly well" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, typically describing the manner in which an activity or project is progressing. It often carries an element of irony or unexpected positive outcome, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "going terribly well" is an adverbial phrase used to describe a situation that is unexpectedly successful, often with an ironic tone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its prevalence in news and media sources. While the phrase suggests initial challenges or low expectations, the actual outcome is surprisingly positive. For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "progressing exceptionally well". The key to using this phrase effectively lies in understanding and conveying its inherent irony.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

progressing exceptionally well

Emphasizes the high degree of progress.

advancing remarkably well

Highlights the noteworthy advancement.

flourishing outstandingly

Focuses on the thriving and successful nature.

succeeding spectacularly

Stresses the remarkable success.

excelling impressively

Highlights the surpassing of expectations.

booming successfully

Implies a rapid and positive growth.

thriving strongly

Focuses on the vigorous and healthy state of progress.

improving significantly

Emphasizes the noteworthy improvement.

developing favorably

Highlights the positive development.

proceeding swimmingly

Emphasizes the ease and smoothness of the progression.

FAQs

How can "going terribly well" be used in a sentence?

You can use "going terribly well" to describe a situation that is unexpectedly successful. For example, "Despite the initial setbacks, the project is "going terribly well"." Alternatively, consider phrases like "progressing exceptionally well" or "succeeding spectacularly".

What are some alternatives to "going terribly well"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "progressing exceptionally well", "advancing remarkably well", or "flourishing outstandingly". These alternatives emphasize the unexpectedly positive outcome.

When is it appropriate to use "going terribly well"?

Use "going terribly well" when you want to express irony or surprise about a situation that's turning out much better than initially anticipated. It implies that early signs suggested failure or difficulty, but the outcome is surprisingly positive.

Is "going terribly well" formal or informal?

"Going terribly well" is generally considered informal due to its somewhat sarcastic or ironic tone. In formal contexts, it's better to use more direct and unambiguous phrases like "progressing exceptionally well" or "developing favorably".